FAQ

General Questions

Q: What makes Stargate different from other schools?

A: At Stargate, we’ve spent more than 20 years nurturing gifted learners and their families. Because our differentiated programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of gifted students, we are uniquely able to challenge each student’s academic abilities, support their emotional needs, promote individual character development and encourage a life-long love of learning.

Q: What curriculum do you use?

A: Academic rigor has been a characteristic of Stargate since the school's founding. Our curriculum was developed using the District Twelve curriculum framework and Colorado State Standards, but is compacted, accelerated and adapted to better meet the needs of gifted learners.

Q: How much homework should I expect?

A: Homework varies. As a general rule, students should expect to spend about 10-15 minutes per grade, per night, plus reading requirements. A kindergarten student, for example, will probably spend at least 15 minutes per night on homework in addition to time spent reading aloud. In Elementary grades K-5, we do utilize weekly homework folders to help families with time management. Grades K-4 send home all of the weeks homework on Monday and it is due back on Friday of the same week.

Q: Are students allowed to work at their own pace? Are there experiential opportunities?

A: Stargate students are involved in the direction and pacing of their learning. Our teachers use needs-based grouping in math and language arts to optimize instructional strategies for each student. In addition, students in grades 1-4 are placed in multi-age classrooms and aligned with the same homeroom teacher for two years. This model aligns individual strengths to the appropriate delivery system for gifted students. Teachers also use differentiated learning and project-based outcomes. Learning is further enriched with multiple field trips and other hands-on experimental learning activities.

Q: Do you have recess?

A: Yes. Recess, physical education and athletics provide much needed opportunities for mental and physical release. Gifted students tend to work and think intensely. Recess helps provide balance and is an important way for us to help students retain/regain focus.

Q: Do you have a hot lunch program? What about before / after school care?

A: We offer fresh, healthy meals served on site via partnership with a local vendor. Our Eagle’s Landing program provides high quality care before and after school, as well as during staff development days.

Q: In light of district budget cuts, are you still able to offer electives? What about student support services like a psychologist or counselor?

A: Stargate students enjoy a creative environment that includes art, music, foreign language, technology and physical education as well as numerous extracurricular clubs and enrichment opportunities. They also benefit from an on-site support team that includes a school psychologist, counselor, gifted specialists, English language learner support, occupational therapist, speech/language specialist, health services aide and special education.

Q: Are there costs associated with attending Stargate?

A: Stargate is a public school, supported by taxpayer dollars. There is an IQ test required as part of the application process. Costs for these tests generally begin around $200. We do charge a tuition fee for full-day Kindergarten. There is no fee for our half-day Kindergarten program. We also charge tuition for our Before and After School Program, Eagles Landing. Grades 1-12 are fully funded. There are optional fees for activities.

Gifted Students

Q: What are the benefits of being in a school with gifted peers?

A: Many gifted students are so far ahead of their same age peers that they know more than half of the grade level curriculum before the school year begins. Others learn new concepts quickly, but are made to wait until classmates catch up. Resulting boredom and frustration can lead to underachievement and poor work habits. Placement with peers at similar performance levels tends to motivate students because it adds to their own sense of ability.

Q: How can I tell if my child is gifted?

A: There are certain characteristics that distinguish gifted learners from typical learners. One way to recognize gifted learners is to look at the characteristics of giftedness. Gifted children will show some but not all of these characteristics.

A: Stargate is a school for identified intellectually gifted learners. To start the application process, families should first obtain a Full Scale IQ score for prospective students grades K-8. There are different options to qualify for grades 9-12. For all students, families submit an online application. Regardless of grade, you should start by visiting the Admissions section of this site

Q: If you have more applications than seats, how do you decide who get spots?

A: At any grade level where there is currently no wait list (Kindergarten every year), a lottery process will determine seating for all qualified students as seats become available. In the lottery process, qualified siblings receive the first available seats. Please review the Admissions Policy page found on this site.. Applicants not given a seat offer will remain in the wait pool in case seats open up between the lottery pull and the start of school.

Q: I hear that if you don’t get your child in for Kindergarten you shouldn’t bother applying to Stargate. Is that true?

A: No. We have openings every year, at almost every grade level. The number of open seats varies. However, we encourage any parent of a gifted child to apply.

STARGATE was ranked by 5280 Magazine as one of only 18 Middle Schools of Distinction (2012)

Our Mission Statement: Stargate School will provide a differentiated program designed specifically to meet the needs of identified intellectually gifted learners in order to challenge each student’s academic abilities, support their unique emotional needs, promote individual character development and encourage a life-long love of learning.